Vera was concerned at Mrs Riley’s reticence to seek medical support. ‘Well, I’ll mention it to Mr Pruett and Miss Briggs and we’ll keep an eye on him.’

Vera hurried across the road to the General Stores.

‘Just a few things for now, please, Prudence.’

Prudence stepped up behind the counter to be on a level with the tall school secretary. ‘Yes, Vera?’

‘A pad of your Basildon Bond writing paper – blue, please.’

‘The sign of quality,’ said Prudence with a knowing glance at her dear friend.

‘And matching envelopes, of course.’

Prudence placed them on the counter.

‘Also, I need some of your Ajax Cleanser. Irene in the kitchen needs a bit of help with her cleaning.’

Vera hurried back to school and Irene was thrilled with her new cleaning agent. ‘Thank you, Miss Evans,’ she said. ‘What will they think of next?’

Ruby Smith was in Tommy Piercy’s butcher’s shop again.

‘’Ave y’got a bit o’ scrag end for a stew please, Mr Piercy?’

‘Ah ’ave jus’ the very thing.’ He slapped a generous slice on the counter and charged the minimum. ‘’Ow are you, Ruby? Y’mus’ be gettin’ close now.’

Ruby’s face was flushed. ‘Mebbe a couple o’ weeks, Mr Piercy, but m’mam’s keepin’ an eye on me so ah’ll be fine.’

It should be Ronnie, thought Tommy.

Ruby’s next call was to the General Stores. ‘Ah need a box o’ cereal, please, Prudence.’

‘You can’t beat Kellogg’s Cornflakes, Ruby,’ said Prudence, ‘with plenty of sugar and milk.’

‘Sounds lovely,’ said Ruby, but doubted there would be much sugar in the house.

‘And here’s a treat for young Andrew.’ Prudence selected a packet of Rowntree’s Sunripe Jelly from the shelf behind the counter.

‘That’s really kind, Prudence,’ said Ruby. ‘’E’ll be thrilled when ’e sees this.’

Ruby was crossing the High Street when Stan Coe screeched past in his Land Rover. She stepped out of the way quickly, put her hand on her swollen tummy and paused while she gathered herself.

Vera witnessed the incident and called out, ‘Are you all right, Ruby?’

Ruby had dropped her shopping bag and Tommy Piercy rushed from his shop to pick it up. He looked angrily after the speeding Land Rover as it tore round the bend at the end of the High Street. ‘’E drives like bloomin’ Stirlin’ Moss, does that Stan Coe. Wants lockin’ up.’

‘Shall I walk you home, Ruby?’ asked Vera.

‘Ah’ll be fine, jus’ a bit of a shock, that’s all.’

‘Would y’like t’sit down?’ asked Tommy.

‘Thanks, but ah’ll get off ’ome,’ and she crossed the road.

Tommy was annoyed. ‘Ah saw ’im through m’window. Gorra face like a blind cobbler’s thumb.’